Harlan R. Merchant |
| Posted 2009-07-31 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ April 15, 2009, p. A7 Harlan R. “Butch” Merchant was born on June 23, 1945 in Ryderwood, Wash., to the late Leroy and Ruth Merchant. Butch went home to be with the Lord on April 7 Wickenburg, Ariz. Butch was eighth of nine children and a graduate of Winlock High School in Winlock, Wash. In 1967 he married Carla Hollinger, also of Winlock. Together, they had two daughters, Mardona and Dawn. As a young man, Butch worked for Longview Fibre, and worked in the construction field on the Mossyrock and Mayfield dams, as well as the Mossyrock Bridge in Washington State. Butch then partnered with his brother Larry and went into the construction business as M&M Contractors. In search of hot weather and a dry climate, Butch moved to Arizona in 1973 with his wife Carla and daughters Mardona and Dawn, and made Wickenburg their home. He later remarried in 1979 to Robin Bebee of Wickenburg and welcomed daughter Michelle and two sons, Chris and Jason, into the family. Together, they had two more sons, Ty and Jordan. Butch was a partner with S&S Construction of Wickenburg and a carpenter by trade. He was also past vice president of the Wickenburg Licensed Contractors Association. His outstanding craftsmanship and designs have been, and continue to be enjoyed by many in Wickenburg and the surrounding communities. When Butch wasn’t building something, he was out camping. He loved the outdoors and spent most of his time there. Butch was also a longtime member and Exalted Ruler of the local Elks Lodge. Butch was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and an infant son. He is survived by his wife Robin; daughters Mardona Merchant of Edgewater, Md.; Dawn (Demetrius) Lawson of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and Michelle Merchant of Salina, Kan.; sons Chris Merchant of Tucson, Ariz.; Jason Merchant of Wickenburg; and Jordan (Monica) Merchant of Tucson, Ariz.; brothers Sonny (Mona) of Concord, Calif.; Jim of Longview, Wash.; Lyle of Chehalis, Wash.; and Larry (Carol) of Winlock, Wash.; and sisters Patricia Gottfryd of Napavine, Wash.; Marsha Dupree of Winlock, Wash.; and Winnie (Larry) Rakoz of Winlock, Wash.; five grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Home-going Service will be held at David’s Desert Chapel on Thursday, April 16,at 10:30 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at Coffinger Park at noon in Wickenburg. Arrangements are under the direction of David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home of Wickenburg. |
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